Back step pass series with Stephen Miller
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Standard Backstep Pass·Simplicity Jiu Jitsu·Added by Admin
Ground Control Columbia Stephen Miller teaching a little back step from half guard series. Highly effective and basic te…
Standard Backstep Pass
Genusバックステップパス(Bakku Suteppu Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: backstep pass
Overview
The backstep pass is a guard pass where the passer rotates their hips 180 degrees away from the opponent while maintaining weight on the trapped leg, converting a stalled knee-cut or half guard position into either a completed pass or leg lock entry. [1] The technique evolved organically from half guard and knee-cut passing exchanges in the late 1990s-2000s, with no single inventor credited. Lucas Lepri (multiple IBJJF World Champion) refined the backstep crossface series, and the technique gained further importance as leg lock entries from the backstep position became central to modern no-gi grappling. [2]
Backstep PassBackstep Guard PassHip Switch Pass
History & Origin
Evolved organically from half guard and knee-cut exchanges in the late 1990s-2000s. No single inventor. Lucas Lepri refined the crossface variant. [1]
Effectiveness
Essential technique in the modern guard passer's toolkit, providing an alternative when direct forward passes are blocked. The dual threat of pass and leg lock entry makes it particularly dangerous. [1]
Lineage
Evolved from knee-cut passing exchanges. Refined by Lucas Lepri. Leg lock applications developed by modern no-gi competitors.
Competition Record
Lucas Lepri: multiple IBJJF World Championship titles using backstep as core passing tool.
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — 180-degree hip rotation away from the opponent while maintaining weight on the trapped leg
Force Vector — Redirects force through hip rotation rather than forward pressure, converting stalled passes into completed ones
Dual Function — Creates both passing lanes (to side control) and leg lock entries (to saddle/inside sankaku)
Position & Entry
From stalled knee-cut — When opponent wins the underhook against the knee slice, backstep by rotating hips 180 degrees
From half guard top — When forward passing is blocked, backstep to redirect attack angle
From headquarters position — Choose backstep when opponent defends the initial knee-cut attempt
Variants
Backstep to leg drag — rotate and drag the leg across
Backstep to saddle/inside sankaku — enter the leg lock position via hip rotation
Backstep to kneebar — directly attack the knee after rotation
Backstep with crossface — Lucas Lepri's signature, maintain crossface throughout rotation
Backstep to ninja roll — continue the rotation into a rolling back take
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Low danger for the pass itself; leg lock entries accessible from backstep can elevate risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part ...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The backstep became especially prominent as the knee-cut pass became dominant, since it is the primary counter when an opponent successfully wins the underhook against the knee slice. Rather than fighting the underhook head-on, the passer redirects by rotating away. Lucas Lepri refined the backstep crossface series to maintain control throughout. In the 2010s, the backstep gained additional importance as leg lock attacks from the position became central to modern no-gi grappling — the hip rotation naturally creates entries to the saddle and inside sankaku positions.
Common Mistakes
!Not maintaining weight on the trapped leg during rotation — allows opponent to recover guard
!Rotating too slowly — the backstep must be decisive
!Not choosing a finishing direction — must commit to either passing or leg lock entry
!Leaving the head exposed — the opponent can attack the neck during rotation
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish knee-cut position → Opponent wins underhook → Rotate hips 180 degrees away → Maintain weight on trapped leg → Choose finish: complete pass to side control OR enter leg lock position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Precise Half Guard Passing (Lepri, BJJ Fanatics)
1BookPrecise Half Guard Passing (Lepri, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Lepri — refined backstep crossface series
2BookGrapplearts — Leglocks from Knee-Cut Position (Kesting)
[2] Grapplearts — backstep to leg lock entries
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationPrecise Half Guard Passing (Lepri, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Lepri — refined backstep crossface series
5CitationGrapplearts — Leglocks from Knee-Cut Position (Kesting)
[2] Grapplearts — backstep to leg lock entries
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip mobility for 180-degree rotation, balance during transition
Key muscles
hip rotators, core, quadriceps
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stay safe after the backstep spin without getting my back taken?
According to Simplicity Jiu Jitsu, it's important that you stay on top of your opponent and sit on them right away after the backstep spin. As long as you maintain control of the opponent's leg, you won't be in danger of your back being taken.
What should I do if my opponent defends the knee bar from the backstep position?
Simplicity Jiu Jitsu instructor Stephen Miller shows multiple options: you can establish an underhook with your right hand and hop back to slide into side control, or you can control the opponent's hip and transition to a back take by clearing your knee, getting underhook control, and using the belt and collar grips to establish hooks.
What's the key detail for applying pressure during the backstep pass when I have shoulder pressure?
Stephen Miller emphasizes that if you drive the pressure down to the floor, you won't generate the pressure you need into your opponent's face. Instead, keep everything up—drive your shoulder and grip high while maintaining control of the top knee as you scoot your hips back.
Is there a resting position I can use in the backstep sequence?
Simplicity Jiu Jitsu's Stephen Miller describes a 'position within a position' where you can pause and reassess—controlling the top leg and shin while your knee is to the mat—before deciding whether to continue with a back take, calf slicer, or another finish.
How does the Standard Backstep Pass work?
The backstep pass is a guard pass where the passer rotates their hips 180 degrees away from the opponent while maintaining weight on the trapped leg, converting a stalled knee-cut or half guard position into either a completed pass or leg lock entry. The technique evolved organically from half guard and knee-cut passing exchanges in the late 1990s-2000s, with no single inventor credited.
Where does the Standard Backstep Pass come from?
Evolved organically from half guard and knee-cut exchanges in the late 1990s-2000s. No single inventor.
Is the Standard Backstep Pass legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Backstep Pass?
Danger rating 3/10. Low danger for the pass itself; leg lock entries accessible from backstep can elevate risk
How do I set up the Standard Backstep Pass?
The standard setup chain: Establish knee-cut position → Opponent wins underhook → Rotate hips 180 degrees away → Maintain weight on trapped leg → Choose finish: complete pass to side control OR enter leg lock position.
How do I defend against the Standard Backstep Pass?
Standard counters include: Underhook retention — maintain underhook and follow the rotation to take the back / Knee shield reinsertion — re-establish guard frames during the rotation / Inversion to leg entanglement — counter-attack with leg locks / Framing and re-guarding before rotation completes.
What are the variants of the Standard Backstep Pass?
Common variants: Backstep to leg drag (rotate and drag the leg across); Backstep to saddle/inside sankaku (enter the leg lock position via hip rotation); Backstep to kneebar (directly attack the knee after rotation); Backstep with crossface (Lucas Lepri's signature, maintain crossface throughout ro…); Backstep to ninja roll (continue the rotation into a rolling back take).
How effective is the Standard Backstep Pass in competition?
Lucas Lepri: multiple IBJJF World Championship titles using backstep as core passing tool.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Backstep Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Not maintaining weight on the trapped leg during rotation — allows opponent to recover guard / Rotating too slowly — the backstep must be decisive / Not choosing a finishing direction — must commit to either passing or leg lock entry / Leaving the head exposed — the opponent can attack the neck during rotation.
What are other names for the Standard Backstep Pass?
The Standard Backstep Pass is also known as Bakku Suteppu Pasu, Backstep Pass, Backstep Guard Pass, Hip Switch Pass.